Adamo Marinelli
April 11, 2023
The 2023 NFL draft is just over two weeks away. Here is the first version of my 2023 mock draft that's based on each team's biggest needs and also on the best player available basis.
1. Carolina Panthers (via Bears) - C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State (biggest needs: QB, Edge, WR)
The 2022 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, who threw for 3,688 yards and ranked second in the FBS with 41 touchdowns to only six interceptions, Stroud has all the intangibles including a strong arm, elite deep-ball accuracy, mobility, and the ability to escape pressure with his legs.
2. Houston Texans - Bryce Young, QB, Alabama (biggest needs: QB, WR, Edge)
Despite being slightly undersized, his high football IQ, ability to scan the field efficiently, use his eyes to manipulate defenders to create easier throws, avoid turning the ball over and his high confidence level on the field and in the film room make him a franchise-altering talent.
3. Arizona Cardinals - Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia (biggest needs: DL, CB, OL)
Arguably the best defensive prospect in the draft, if his off-field problems get sorted before the season, he checks off all the intangibles for any pass rusher: explosiveness, toughness, talent, and potential to grow and develop. He’s quick off the line and can shed blocks efficiently with clean step and swim moves, but he can use a bit more mass to compete against the biggest guards.
4. Indianapolis Colts - Will Levis, QB, Kentucky (biggest needs: QB, CB, OL)
Levis is one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the draft. He is an athletic passer with a strong release that can get the ball to virtually anywhere on the field with high velocity, however, his accuracy issues have led to many uncatchable passes. He has the prototypical QB build but has struggled to consistently play well and will need a strong offensive-minded coach as a mentor to develop.
5. Seattle Seahawks (via Broncos) - Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama (needs: DL, WR, OG)
Anderson is an impact player off the edge who is well-built. He possesses excellent footwork and long arms and has the talent and explosiveness to get off the line. He can shave edges or open holes in the offensive line with his excellent swim moves and block-shedding ability. He has a nose for the QB and can get there quickly but he needs to ensure his energy doesn’t wane.
6. Detroit Lions (via Rams) - Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech (needs: DL, DB, TE)
With a stout build, strong core, and long arms, he has the skill to engage and beat blockers and has the motor to be a three-down player. He is agile, flexible, and quick enough to get around the edge but his adequate ability to change direction makes him a threat when he counters back inside. He is savvy, versatile, and rarely misses tackles but needs to develop a wider repertoire of pass-rush and swim moves to succeed in the NFL.
7. Chicago Bears (via Raiders) - Peter Skoronski, G/T, Northwestern (needs: DL, OL, CB)
An extremely versatile specimen with a big, strong frame, he has the skill set to play at left tackle and protect the QBs’ blindside but he can also play guard with his strong balance, upper body, and core. He has a clear understanding of positioning and angles at the point of attack and has excellent footwork and hand movement to counter-rush moves. He excels as a run blocker but needs to alter his hand placement in pass sets to be less predictable.
8. Atlanta Falcons - Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa (needs: Edge, CB, WR)
Van Ness is a well-developed defensive end who uses his strength and agility to be a proficient run-defender and pass-rusher. His long arms generate a good push and his agility and excellent timing help him corral mobile QBs but he needs to diversify his rush repertoire beyond bull-rush challenges and his arsenal of hand attacks to shed blocks quicker to succeed in the NFL.
9. Las Vegas Raiders (via Bears): Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon (needs: CB, OL, DL)
Gonzalez possesses a rare blend of athletic and physical traits and is arguably the best cornerback prospect after a great college career and an excellent combine. He plays with an elite speed that allows him to match up with top-end receivers, can press receivers on the line or match their footwork to follow them and shadow their routes in man coverage. He has average instincts to jump routes, and challenge catches and his ball-tracking skills will need improvement.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via Saints): Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson (needs: S, DL, RB)
He is an athletic interior defensive lineman who excels at stuffing the run but possesses an ongoing motor that allows him to get past blocks and can even overpower some double teams. He is able to understand opposing blocking schemes and operates with smart hand placement and movement to put pressure on and engage blockers, but needs to develop his block-shedding technique to have more of an impact pass rushing in the backfield.
11. Tennessee Titans: Paris Johnson Jr., OL, Ohio State (needs: OL, WR, DB)
Johnson Jr. is a versatile prospect with the skillset, hands, and footwork to play at guard or tackle. He has a big frame but is only going to fill it out more and get stronger. His agility will be key in keeping up with agile edge defenders. He’s a much better-moving blocker than man-blocking.
12. Houston Texans (via Browns): Quentin Johnson, WR, TCU (needs: QB, WR, Edge)
Despite some glaring inconsistencies on tape that can be fixed with coaching and experience, he has the height, weight, speed, and hands to cement himself as a future WR1. He excels in the slot but is better outside in space and his long strides and agility create lots of separation. He is proficient at making late adjustments to haul in deep throws and is explosive off the line.
13. New York Jets: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia (needs: OL, DT, S)
A freakily athletic prospect with the size, agility, length, and potential to develop into a starter at left tackle, Jones is talented at working into space and landing a block to propel the running game. He has nimble feet to mirror opposing rushers or recover after a mistake. Jones’ frame and technique both are in the developmental phase but will improve with time development.
14. New England Patriots: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois (needs: DB, OT, WR)
He is a high-octane prospect but his strengths are dependent on the scheme he’s in. The Patriots’ 4-3 zone coverage scheme will help Witherspoon excel. He plays with urgency, and anticipation, and has great route recognition with a unique ability to break up passes. He is a tremendous ball-hawk and can cover space very quick in zone schemes, but his coverage can be handsy after five yards in man, he’s sluggish to match route breaks from his backpedal and his top-end speed could be an issue.
15. Green Bay Packers: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State (needs: S, WR, TE)
The Packers need to surround their young QB with pass-catching talent. Smith-Njigba provides that. While he lacks the speed to run past outside cornerbacks and the shake to separate underneath, but is tough in the middle of the defense and can make catches in traffic. If he can fine-tune his route running, and speed and develops a burst after the catch, he’s a great slot receiver.
16. Washington Commanders: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida (needs: CB, OL, TE)
The Commanders have other needs and Howell is at QB already, but a rebuilding team with no aspirations to compete for at least a few years, Richardson should be a project they’re willing to take on. While most of his production came from one season, Richardson is a physical specimen who had an excellent combine. He is a dual-threat QB but needs a lot of experience and coaching to reach his extremely high ceiling. Can Washington do it?
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma (needs: OL, CB, DL)
He’s not the most athletic and agile left tackle of the bunch but has the size, length, and potential to be a starting left tackle with time and proper development. He has a feel for pocket depth, is agile and has great balance for his size, and has elite footwork and hand placement to keep up with defenders. He struggles to recover when beaten, has average speed, and can fail to get a strong initial push.
18. Detroit Lions: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas (needs: DL, DB, TE, RB)
Arguably the best RB in his class, Bijan Robinson will immediately fill the hole left by Jamaal Williams and will fit nicely with D’Andre Swift. Robinson is agile and well-built with a compact frame. He is a three down-back with elite footwork and agility to alter his pace and direction, he runs hard and low to the ground and can break through contact while finding gaps to split.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Siaki Ika, DL, Baylor (needs: OL, S, DL)
Possessing solid athleticism for his size, Ika is a huge body who will be able to eat up blocks on the interior of the defensive line, stuff the run, and occasionally rush the passer. He has the power and quickness to recognize a play and penetrate the line to blow it up and has the agility & lateral quickness to create multiple rush angles. His balance and taking on double teams need work.
20. Seattle Seahawks: O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida (needs: DL, WR, OG)
After addressing their defensive line earlier, they bolster their interior offensive line to provide Geno Smith with extra protection. His large size helps to generate movement as a drive blocker, his wide build makes life difficult for interior rushers, he has good balance for his size and is well disciplined, taking very few penalties in 2022, but is somewhat indecisive and struggles to mirror athletic rushers due to physical/athletic limitations.
Miami Dolphins: pick forfeited
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College (needs: WR, DL, TE)
After an excellent combine and a great college career, Flowers is exactly what the Chargers need to surround Herbert with another weapon. He is very athletic, with great speed off the line, great hands & ball-tracking skills. He’s an elite deep-ball threat, is slippery in the open field and his routes are quick and maintain momentum through turns. He does have smaller hands and he often rushes his routes, which occasionally needs more attention to detail and salesmanship.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Addison, WR, USC (needs: WR, CB, QB)
A dynamic route runner who is agile, shifty, and possesses excellent acceleration, he has the speed and technical ability to excel on all three levels of the field. His elite footwork helps him beat coverage especially close to the line of scrimmage, but he lacks the size and catch strength generally possessed by elite NFL receivers. He will be an extra weapon for Lamar if he resigns.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland (needs: CB, DL, WR)
Banks is a perimeter CB with a desired blend of size, strength, and athleticism that is seen in his college tapes and excellent performance at the combine and he excels in multiple different schemes. He has the speed and agility to run with the opponent and mirror the receivers’ cuts. His arm length allows him to contest catches but he needs to improve his route anticipation and discipline.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State (needs: CB, OT, DE)
An ascending CB with CB1 potential if he’s developed and utilized properly, Porter Jr. is one of the most physical corners in the draft and has the frame to close catch windows in man coverage against bigger receivers. His smart hand usage helps bail him out when his feet are late and he has great recovery and length to swat away underthrows, but his sluggish change of direction generates a lot of penalties so his success will be dependent on his team's scheme.
25. New York Giants: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina (WR, OL, CB)
The Giants need all the offensive weapons they can get to aid Daniel Jones. Downs has dynamic footwork, agility, and a sixth sense of how to elude opponents with his athleticism. His tempo changes make it difficult to be covered or pressed in man and his sharp turns & cuts create loads of separation. He can be slowed by a bigger press corner and he needs to be more disciplined in his route running, sometimes he leaves routes unfinished or ends them prematurely.
26. Dallas Cowboys: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah (needs: DL, OL, TE)
Kincaid is by far the best tight end in the draft and will fit right into a dynamic passing attack that lost Dalton Schultz. Kincaid runs fluid routes and has the athleticism, speed, and agility to create mismatches against weaker coverage. He has excellent ball-tracking skills and solid hands that allow him to scoop up 50-50 balls. He is not the best run blocker, his balance is average, and struggles to block for extended periods of time.
27. Buffalo Bills: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh (needs: WR, DT, LB)
He is a nightmare for offences as a speedy pass rusher, who possesses a strong motor and elite leverage - often too much for guards to handle alone. He posted 14.5 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss in two years as a starter and has a nose for the QB. He is strong and determined, but his lack of mass and length make him hit or miss as a run defender and he will be pushed around a decent amount. He’ll be most effective as a three-down pass rusher & a rotational run defender.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State (needs: OT, TE, RB)
Jones is a massive right tackle with rare length who has the size and strength to hold up pass rushers and will help protect Joe Burrow. However, his limited athleticism can impact his consistency. His massive wingspan overwhelms rushers when his hands are set properly, is balanced and agile for his size, and can follow and mirror edge rushers effectively.
29. New Orleans Saints (via 49ers): Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan (needs: DL, TE, OL)
Smith possesses a rare blend of size and quickness and is incredibly mobile for his size. He is a solid run blocker, can pull guards off balance easily, and can control and shed base blocks with relative ease, but he needs to become more effective at beating double teams, securing his gap, and matching the initial movement of interior offensive linemen to be more effective.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama (needs: S, DL, RB)
Gibbs is a fierce running back who can stretch defenses wide and has the agility, and ability to cut and change direction to elude tacklers in space. While he may not be the offence’s main engine or a three-down back, he can definitely add juice to any offence thanks to his versatility and pass-catching ability & will slot in nicely in the Eagles’ potent rushing attack that includes Jalen Hurts.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Drew Sanders, OLB, Arkansas (needs: WR, OT, Edge)
He has the physical traits, athleticism, and versatility to be used as an inside linebacker or a stand-up edge rusher. He has a large arsenal of pass-rush moves and wickedly fluid slide-and-swim moves as an A, B, or C gap rusher. He has the strength to beat guards on the inside & the athleticism and balance to beat tackles around the edge. He upgrades the Chiefs' defense automatically.
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